I did. It was just a panic attack. I’ve had them for years.”
She tugs at her hand, which I have forgotten that I’m still holding onto. I let go, my neck heating.
“I see,” is all I can manage.
Annika gives her head a little shake. “I think that I’ll call it a day. Surely the royal press office can’t say anything if I’m sick. Help me up?”
Narrowing my eyes, I climb to my feet. I offer her a hand, which she takes. As I hoist her up, she squeezes my hand. She pins me with her powder blue gaze and cocks her head.
“Thanks,” she says softly. There is a moment, just a few beats of my heart, where something shimmers in the air between us.
A sensation of emotional openness.
Then she drops my hand, whirls toward the closet door, and bolts away. I’m left to follow her, my heart squeezing in my chest, a million questions crowding into my brain.
11
Erik
Our chauffeur pulls the limousine around the entrance of Amalienborg castle. I take a moment to look at the majesty of the place. Made of light-colored brick, the four massive tan brick buildings all huddle in a circle, all saluting a rather large statue of a man on a horse. With their white-trimmed windows, dark roofs, and guards dressed in scarlet, the palaces definitely proudly exude money. It’s truly a sight to behold.
I glance over at Annika. Her expensive black designer heels are on the seat between us. She has hiked up her floor length blue velvet dress to mid-thigh. The delicate silver tiara that adorned her upswept hair is tossed carelessly next to the shoes, and she’s run her fingers through her wavy mane. She is slumped against her door, scrolling through her phone with a glazed expression.
For a second, my lips curl. She reminds me of nothing more than a big cat right now. Resting, yes, but still monitoring what is going on with a jaundiced eye.
The second the limo pulls to a stop, she is in motion. She flings the door open and vaults herself out of the cool leather seats. She doesn’t wait for anyone to open the doors for her… and she completely ignores the tiara and shoes that she’s discarded.
I frown and scoop them up, following her out of the car. Annika is already disappearing inside the palace, the tail of her long blue dress carelessly crumpled in one hand.
I follow her inside and up the grand staircase with a sigh. “Annika!”
She doesn’t even pause. She’s been acting oddly all night, as if she isn’t wasn’t aware of my presence. We went from a school opening in the morning to an afternoon at a water polo match and ended the evening at some charity gala or another.
And the whole time, I never once saw her smile in my direction or even acknowledge my existence. So, when I enter her private living area, I am not really in any mood for her drama and hysterics.
“Annika!” I call again, trying to project my voice into the open doorway across the room. She has disappeared into her bedroom but left the door ajar. “You forgot your fucking tiara and your goddamn shoes!”
Her golden head appears in the doorway, her guileless eyes piercing me through and through. “Could you help me with the zipper to this dress? It’s stuck.”
Squinting at her, I nod. “Yes, your highness. Whatever my mistress desires.”
Arching a brow, Annika steps back through the doorway, a smirk on her lips. “You’re very salty tonight, Erik. My grandmother would hate that you’re talking to me in such an insubordinate manner.”
My eyes travel down the length of her body. Midnight blue velvet clings to all the right places. Her tits look amazing. The curve of her hips is alluring. And her tight little ass in that dress?
It looks more expensive than all the money and jewels in this house, combined.
Annika walks over to me, turning around. She holds her long platinum hair up and flashes me the back of her neck and her sleek upper back.
My heart starts to pound. How Annika always does that to me, I have no idea. All I know is that being so close to her, reaching out to touch her… it’s definitely filling my head with perverted thoughts.
I move closer, seeking the hidden zipper that runs along the column of her spine. As my fingers brush the back of her dress, all I can think about is the feel of her lips pressed against